Santa Fe College vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Santa Fe College based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 12,758 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Fe College is located in Gainesville, FL (Midsize Suburban setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Santa Fe College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Fe College 18:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Santa Fe College vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Santa Fe College or WKU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Santa Fe College than WKU ($11,903 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Fe College are 17.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($10,367 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 354.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Santa Fe College (about $9,089 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $2,563.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 193.8% higher at WKU than at Santa Fe College (about $17,811 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $9,189.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Santa Fe College (99% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 319.7% larger than aid received by Santa Fe College students ($10,921 vs. $2,602).

Santa Fe College vs. WKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Santa Fe College or WKU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WKU and Santa Fe College.

• Santa Fe College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Santa Fe College - Open admission; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.

Santa Fe College vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Santa Fe College and WKU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Santa Fe College earn a median of about $400 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,500 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Fe College graduates have a $13,225 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($11,025 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Santa Fe College graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($113 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Santa Fe College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 34%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.